Feeler mechanism for looms



1930. P. F. OBRIEN 8 ,5

FEELER MECHANISM FOR LOOMS Filed Nov. 26, 1929 s Sheets-sheet 1 d uw *WIIWE E Q IN VENTOR.

A TTORNE Y Dc. 2, 1930. P. F. OBRIEN 1,783,518

FEELER MECHANISM FOR LOOMS Filed Nov. 26, 1929 s She etsQSheet 2 ATTORNEY Dec. 2, 1930. P. F. OBRIEN "1,783,518

FEEDER MECHANISM FOR Lo'ous Filed Nov. 26. 1929 a Shets-$heet 5 lNVENTOR W 'fiM A T TORNE Y Patented Dec. 2, 1930 oer-ares PATRICK F. onmnnj nneniinrn, ivrnssnonnsnrrs, assrenon. TO nRAPEa eonronA'rron, or ornnALE. MASSACHUSETTS, A coitronntrron or MAINE FEELER MECHANISM FOR LOOMS Application filed November 26, 1929. Serial No. 409,969. v

This invention relates to feeler mechanism for looms whereby the operative condition of the loom is changed from time to time as by replenishment of filling.

The amount of filling remaining upon the filling carrier or bobbin when it is ejected from the shuttle constitutes waste and is largely dependent upon the sensitiveness of the .feeler either to the presence ofifilling in the shuttle or its substantial absence.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a feeler mechanism of the side slipping type wherein the feeler shall be sensitive both to the presence and absence of filling and is caused toside slip by the frontward pressure upon the feeler when the filling is substantially. exhausted. More specifically stated, the invention provides a side slipping feeler pivotally mounted upon a link and normally under the influence of a spring connected to the feeler between the pivotal points of the link and exertingj a rearward stress or pull upon the feelerto thereby move both the link and the feeler rearwardly and s ing the feeler laterally into its filling feeling position. i

The constant recurring cont-acts of the feeler with the filling on detecting beats is liable to injure the filling, and another aspect of the invention therefore provides that the feeler shall be held in a frontward inoperative position out-of contact with the filling for periods of time andthen released for its active period, so that the feeler will contact with the filling only at intervals. With respect to this feature of the invention, the feeler and link are held in front position by detent which acts upon the feeler in connection with the rearwardly pulling springto move the feeler laterally so that the tip end of the feeler will not engage the filling during periods of inactivity of the feeler.

The invention and novel features thereof will best be made clear from the following de scription and the accompanying drawings of one good form thereof."

In the drawings:

Fig. l is a perspectiveview showing portions ofthe loom and a feeler mechanism sentainMgthe-prwent invent ns Fig.5 is a detail section on the line 55 ofFig.2;

Fig. 6 is a plan view showing the feeler inactive position and-the fillingsubstantially exhausted; and

ATENTfoFFIcEj Fig. 2 is a plan view showing the feeler in Fig. 7 is a similar view. showing the feeler I as having been laterally displaced bythe frontward pressure of a surface-within the shuttle to thereby. call for replenishment of filling,

The replenishing mechanism is not herein shown and described because the details there- 'ofform no essential part of the present invention and such replenishing mechanism is now well understood in the art.

i The loom frame may be ofusual construction, and mounted uponthe breast beam 2 is the transverse or rock shaft 3 having the upwardly extending arm l to which is-pivotally connected at 5 the actuator 6, thefront move.- ment of which is. utilized for initiating replenishmentof filling. f The shipper: stand? has a. lateral extension 8 to which a'bracket 9fissecured, constituting a support for the feeler. 'standlO. Asshown, the bracket QflS susceptible of adjustment by means of the bolt 11 andslot 12, and the feeler stand 10 issecured to the b-racket 9 by a bolt 13. The parts so far described may be of usual construction and need tending arm 17 projecting from the feeler 18, the pivotal connection 16 being at the opposite side of the longitudinal ELXlS' of the feeler from that of thepivot 141..

.The ,19 8 a .;fi a ensas ng t p portion 19 which is preferably provided with teeth 20 for engagement with the filling, and in order that the feeler may enter the shuttle to feel for the filling the shuttle box is provided with the usual opening 21 in the front wall thereof which registers with a similar opening 22 in the front wall of the shuttle 23 when the latter is in the detecting box. The shuttle may be of the usual automatically threading type now well understood.

Connected to the feeler between the pivotal points It and 16 of the link 15 is a spring 24:, one end of which may be engaged with the pin 25 and its other end secured at the rear of the feeler stand, as indicated in 2 and 3, the result being that both the link 15 and the feeler 18 are normally under the rearward pull or stress of the spring 24-. to move both of these parts rearwardly, and a stop 26 extends upwardly from the feeler stand to limit the rearward movement of the linl; under the stress of the spring 2%.

From the construction thus far described it will be noted that the single pull spring 2a being connected to the feeler between the pivotal points of the link will act with a pulling effect rearwardly and also act upon the feeler to move it laterally into feeling position.

When the link and the feeler have been moved rearwardly, as hereinbefore described, and the feeler is under the stress of the spring 24 to swing it laterally on the link, it is desirable that the swinging movement of the feeler shall be limited, and to this end the pin 25 to which the end of the spring 24 is secured, is extended downwardly through the feeler, as at 27, Fig. 5, in position to engage the front edge portion of the link 15 to thereby limit swinging movement of the feeler on the link. When the feeler is in its rearward feeling position, the link 15 bears against the stop 26 to limit further rearward movement of both the link and the feeler, and the lower end portion 27 of the pin 25 engages the link to thereby limit the lateral movement of the feeler into its feeling position under the stress of the spring 24.

From the construction described it will be apparent that the feeler and link are under the influence of a single spring which exerts a rearward pull upon the feeler to move the parts into position as hereinbefore described, and since the function of the spring is as stated, its stress may be made light and sensitive, with the result that when a working supply of filling is present in the shuttle on a detecting beat, the feeler and link may be moved frontwardly in opposition to the rearward stress of the spring and the teeth of the feeler will prevent side slipping movement thereof. When, however, the filling has become substantially exhausted and is no longer sufficient to prevent side slipping movement of the feeler, the latter will side slip into the position indicated in Fig. 7 against the light stress of the spring 24, with the result that the feeler is extremely sensitive, both as to presence and substantial absence of filling.

During the weaving operation it is desirable that the feeler may be held in a frontward position out of contact with the filling on detecting beats and then released to its feeling function periodically, and another aspect of the invention therefore provides means for accomplishing these results.

The feeler 18 is provided with a detent engaging notch 28, and pivotally connected at 29 is a detent 30, the downturned end portion 31 of which is adapted to engage the held ng notch 28 in the feeler when the latter is ved frontwardly by a working supply of filling on a detecting beat. The detent 30 is normally under the influence of yielding means to move it downwardly to cause the end 31 thereof to engage the notch 28 in the feeler, and to this end he spring 24 has its rear portion at 32 connected to the detent.

The relation of the pivoted link 15 and the feeler, as hereinbefore described, and the connection of the spring 24; with the feeler between the pivotal points of the link, have the effect of causing the feeler to be moved laterally, as indicated in Fig. 4, when the detent is engaged with the holding notch 28 of the feeler, so that the feeler is displaced laterally by the detent when it is in inoperative position, thereby removing the tip of the feeler from engagement with the filling during the inactive periods of the feeler.

The transmitter and its cooperative relation with the feeler is of novel construction and comprises a rocking member or shaft 33, the end portion remote from the feeler being mounted at 34. in the actuator 6, while the end adjacent the feeler is mounted for rocking movement in a bracket 35 rising from or secured to the feeler stand 10. The bearing of the transmitter 33 in the bracket 35 is sufficiently loose to permit the transmitter 33 to be moved frontwardly and rearwardly the necessary amount required by the frontward and backward movement of the actuator (5,

and to prevent endwise movement of the transmitter 33 the stops 36 are secured to the transmitter 33 at each side of the bracket 35, as indicated.

The cam follower 37 is actuated as usual from the lower or cam shaft and has a top portion 38 provided with a forward extension 39 and a shoulder 40, the latter being utilized to effect frontward movement of the actuator 6 through the transmitter when filling replenishment is to be initiated.

Secured to the transmitter 33 adjacent the actuator 6 is a lug or sleeve 41 from which extends frontwardly the bail or loop 42 normally resting upon the frontward extension 39 of the cam follower and adapted for engagement by the shoulder when in'its. normal position, to thereby move the actuator fi= frontwardly filling.

The end of the transmitter adjacent the feeler is provided with a downwardlytextending arm 43 which extends through an opening 44'formed in the side of the feeler, so that the downwardly extending arm 43 is between the lateralarm 17 and the projection or finger at the side of the feeler.

I When the feeler is in its rearward feeling position, as indicated in F igs..1 and 2, the weight of the arm 43 and the bail 42 causes the transmitter to remain in operative relation with the cam follower, so that on a detecting beat with a working supply of filling in the shuttle, as indicated in Fig. 2, the

frontward movement of the feeler will cause the finger 45 thereof to turnthe transmitter and lift the bail 42 from its operative position so that when a working supply of filling is present in the shuttle on a detecting beat and the feeler is in feeling position, the latter will be moved frontwardly to turn the trans mitter and move the bail 42 thereof out of operative position. When, however, the filling is substantially exhausted, as indicated in Figs. 6 and 7, on a detecting b'eatythe feeler will side slip, as indicated 'in Fig. 7, and'fail to turnthe transmitter from its operative position,thereby causing the shoulder 40 ofvthe cam follower to engage the bail. 42 of the transmitter and move the actuator 6 frontwardly to effect replenishment of filling. When the feeler is held in its frontward inoperative p osition,]as indicated in Fig. 4, the downwardly extending arm 43 of the transmitter will'be engaged by the finger or projection 45 ofthe feeler and cause the transmitter to be turned sulliciently to raise the bail 42 out of the path of movement of the shoulder 40 of the cam follower and the loom will continue to run without filling replenishment during the period of inactivity of the feeler. I

As hereinbefore indicated, it is desirable to free the feeler from time to time-'tli'at'it may move to rearward feeling position to thereby detect the condition ofthefilling in the shutt le, and as one means to this 'end the detent 30 is under control of a trip device which acts periodically to' trip the detent from holding engagement with the feeler. I

In the present instance of the invention, the trip device comprises a chain 46' which passes about sprocket wheels 47and48, the latter of which is actuated through a train of mechanism connected to a goingpart of the 100111, as, for instance, the take-up. In the present instance, the take-up shaft:49 is driven from the'under or cam shaft 50 and operatively engaged with the sprocket48 through a train of mechainsm51 which may be of 'anyusual and effect replenishment of type, so that during the. loomoperationithe sprocket chain 46. will be moved progresk sively. A v

Connected to the sprocket chain 46 is a 111g or projection 52.. adaptedto engage a roller or weight 53 carried by a bell cranlslever 54 pivjotally mounted at 55- on the downwardlyextending arm 56, the, lower end of which provides a bearing 57 for the sprocket wheeli47. Connected to the arm 58 of the bell crank 54 is a link 59, the upperend portion ofwhich is engaged with the end 60 of the detent,with the result that when the projection 52 passes under the roll or weight 53 the detent will be tripped to free thefeeler to its active position, as indicated in Fig. 1. Should the feeler detect a working supply of filling in the shuttle and consequently .be moved front.- wardly thereby after the projection 52 has passed from the roll or weightv 53, the detent will be released to again engage the'holding notch 28 of the feeler tomaintain the latter in frontward inactive position. Should the feeler, how'ever,'detect approaching exhaustion of filling and consequently be not moved frontwardly sufliciently farfor the detent to engage the holding notch ofth feeler,.the end 31,0f the detent will-rest upon and ride on the flat top surface of the feeler, as indicated in Fig. 7, so that the feeler will remain active and call for achange of filling whenit side slips.

- From the construction described it will be noted that the present invention provides a feeler which is 'very sensitive bothto the 1 presence and absence-of filling: in theshuttle so that the amount of waste is minimized;

What is claimed is: 1 1. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination ofa feeler stand, a side slipping filling feeler having at itsrfront portion a laterally extending portion, a link pivotally mounted on the feeler stand at one side of the longitudinal axis of the feeler and pivotally connected to the laterally extending portion of the feeler at the other side of itslongitudinal axis, a spring'connected to the feeler between thepivotal points of the link andyexerting'a rearward pull uponthe, feeler to move both the link and feeler to rearward I feeling position'and swing the feeler laterally about 'its pivotalconnection with the link, and a stop to prevent the feeler being moved laterally beyond its feeling position bythesprin'g. I g I i 2. In a feeler mechanism forlooms, the combination of a feeler stand, a side slipping filling feeler having at its'front'portion alaterally extending'portion, alink pivotally mounted on the feeler stand at one side of the longitudinal axis of thefeeler and pivotally connected to the laterally extending portion of the feeler at the other side of its longitudinal axis, a spring connected to the feeler between the pivotal points of the link and ex- Lil erting a rearwardly inclined pull upon the feeler to move the link into its rearward position and turn the feeler on its pivotal connection with the link, and a stop mounted on the feeler for engagement with the link when in rear position toprevent the feeler from lateral swinging movement by the spring beyond its feeling position.

3. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a feeler stand, a side slipping filling feeler having a laterally extending portion provided with a slot, a link pivotally mounted on the feeler stand at one side of the longitudinal axis of the feeler and pivotally connected to the laterally extended portion of the feeler at the opposite side of the longitudinal axis of the feeler, a spring connected to the feeler between the pivotal points of the link and to another part rearward of the link to exert a rearward pull upon the feeler and link to move both into rearward feeling position, and a transmitter having an. arm extending into the slot of the laterally extending portion of the feeler to initiate replenishment of filling when the feeler side slips on a detecting beat.

4. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a transmitter normally positioned for initiating replenishment of filling, a feelerstand, a side slipping filling feeler having a laterally extending arm, a link pivot-- ed at one end to the feeler stand and to the laterally extending arm at its other end, a spring connected to the feeler and exerting a rearward pull upon the feeler to move the link and feeler to rearward feeling position, a projection mounted on the feeler for engagement with the transmitter when thefeeler is moved frontwardly by a working supply of filling to thereby move the transmitter from its normal position and prevent replenishment of filling until the feeler side slips on a detecting beat, 5. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a feeler stand, a side slipping filling feeler, a link having one end pivotally mounted on the feeler stand and its other end pivotally connected to the feeler, a spring connected at one end to the feeler between the pivotal points of the link and exerting a rearward pull upon the feelerto move both the link and feeler to rearward feeling position and swing the feeler laterally on its pivotal connection with the link, a detent for holding the feeler and link in a frontward inoperative position, and a trip for periodically freeing the feeler and link from the detent that the spring may move the feeler and link rearwardly and turn the feeler upon its pivotal connection with the link into feeling position. 6. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a feeler stand, a side slipping filling feeler, a link having one end pivoted on the feeler stand and its other end pivoted to the feeler, a spring connected to the feeler between the pivotal points of the link and exerting a rearward pull upon the feeler and link to pull the link and the feeler to rearward feeling position, a detent for holding the feeler and link in a frontward inoperative position out of contact with the filling on detecting beats, a transmitter normally positioned to initiate replenishment of filling and held from said position by the feeler when it and the link are held in frontward inoperative position during the periods of inactivity of the feeler, means for freeing the feeler and link from the detent periodically that the feeler and link may be moved rearwardly by the spring and the transmitter may move to its normal position for initiating replenishment of filling should the feeler detect substantial exhaustion of filling and partake of its side slipping movement.

7. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a stationary support, a swinging carrier pivoted to the support for movement towards and from the front of the loom, a side slipping feeler pivotally mounted on the swinging carrier and having a filling engaging portion off-set from the pivot of the feeler to move along and in contact with a substantially exhausted supply of filling on a detecting beat, and a single resilient element directly connected to the side slipping feeler at a point to one side of the pivotal connection of the feeler with the swinging carrier to move both the feeler and the swinging carrier rearwardly solely by the action of the single resilient element.

8. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a feeler stand, a side slipping filling feeler, a link having one end pivotally mounted on the feeler stand and its other end pivotally connected to the feeler, a spring connected at one end to the feeler between the pivotal points of the link and exerting a rearward pull upon the feeler to move both the link and feeler to rearward feeling position and swing the feeler laterally on its pivotal connection with the link, a detent for engaging the feeler to hold the feeler and link in a frontward idle position with the feeler in an inclined position to prevent engagement by the filling, and a trip for the detent to periodically free the feeler and consequently the link that the spring may move the feeler and link to rearward feeling position.

9. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a feeler stand, a side slipping filling feeler, having a lateral extension, a link pivotally mounted at one end on the feeler stand and having its other end pivotally connected to the lateral extension of the feeler, a pull spring connected to the feeler between the pivotal points of the link to effect movement of the link and feeler to rearward feeling position, a stop for limiting the rearward movement of the link, and a stop for limiting the lateral swinging movement of the feeler on the link into feeling position.

10. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a feeler stand, aside slipping filling feeler having a lateral extension, a link pivotally mounted at one end on the feeler stand and having its other end pivotally connected to the lateral extension of the feeler, a pull spring connected to the feeler between the pivotal points of the link toeffect movement of the link and feeler to rearward feeling position, a stop for limiting the rearward movement of the link, and a stop for limiting the lateral swinging movement of the feeler on the link into feeling position, a detent for holding the feeler and link in a frontward inoperative position for a plurality of detecting beats, and means for periodically freeing the detent from the feeler that the spring may move the link to rearward position and the feeler laterally to feeling position.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification.

PATRICK F. OBRIEN. 

